Stretching - your new SUPERPOWER!
Tight muscles and poor mobility can be the bane of a lot of people's existence, but it doesn't have to be. I hear you thinking - really?, that can't be true. Let me tell you tight sore muscles and poor mobility can be a thing of the past, or at least less of a hinderance.
What contributes to tight muscles and poor mobility?
There are a number of factors that can result in our bodies not feeling 100%. Some of the most common reasons include:
lifestyle - the majority of our jobs involve sitting at a desk hunched over a computer. This type of posture contributes to tight shoulders and neck muscles along with tight hips and sore lower backs.
Driving - our car seats are not necessarily the most supportive for our spines and can contribute hip and back discomfort.
Phone usage
Illness
Stress
Tension
Postural misalignment
Integrating stretching into your daily routine can help to alleviate some of the discomfort resulting from our day to day activities and become a vital part of our wellness routine.
Why Stretch?
Relieves muscle tension
Improves mobility and flexibility
Improves sleep
Improve blood flow to the muscles
Improve muscle recovery
Decreases risk of Injury
Improves lower back pain and hip movement
Reduces stress and facilitates mindfulness
Relieves neck & shoulder tension resulting in better movement
Enables you to move freely without pain
Real life examples of how stretching can help you.
Getting out of bed without back or hip pain
Being able to get down on the floor and play with the kids/grandkids
Being able to turn and check your blind spot while driving without upper back discomfort or neck pain
Grabbing something from a high shelf without shoulder discomfort
There are hundreds of reasons as to why stretching is beneficial, but the one that really resonates with me is the ability to move with freedom. Knowing that I can bend, reach, and rotate with ease makes day to day activities easier. This is not to say that stretching will stop all muscle soreness, but it certainly helps in our recovery.
Needing inspiration for your stretch routine, attend one of our weekly stretch & release classes: